Method and means for heating by carbon and hydrocarbon oils



F. E. GERSTENBERGER. METHOD AND MEANS FOR HEATING BY CARBON AND HYDROCARBON OILS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 12. I918.

Patented June 28, 1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

A TTORNE YS.

. F. E. GERSIENBERGER.

METHOD AND MEANS FOR HEATING BY CARBON AND-HYDROCARBON OILS.

APPLICATION FILED IAN. I2, I9I8-' Patented June 28,1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

I: i ii 1 :3:- Ii I -.1 5 5 I? I I 53 ll 4/ 2 K I fi III I "I 1 l UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FREDERICK E. GERSTENFERGEBL, OF SOUTH EUCLID, OHIO.

METHOD AND MEANS FOR HEATING B Y CARBON AND HYDROCARBON OILS.

' Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed January '12, 1918. Serial No. 211,541.

enable others skilled in the art to which it.

appertains to make and use the same. v

The objects of the invention are to pro- I vide an improved method and means for producing heat from the consumption of carbon and hydrocarbon fuel oils, and gases and comprises first the production of combustible gases from said fuel, by first, heating them over an incandescent heating element, preferably electrical, and then permitting the heated gases to expand in a closed chamber and afterward burning the rarefied gases in connection with a powerful blast. The invention is exemplified ina heating device in which the essential features are embodied, and is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and is hereinafter more fully described and specifically pointed out in the claims. I

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a vertical section of a complete unit, in-

cluding a blower, a heating element for fuel,

and a closed chamber or retort in which the heavy gases evolved from the fuel are eitpanded and rarefied, to put them in condition 'for immediate combustion. Fig. 2 is a form of construction showing feedltubes for oil or pulverized carbon and gas and steam or air under pressure. Fig. 3 shows a modified form of construction for a heating unit, in which the pressure at the burner jet is obtained by the expansion of the combustjible gases. Fig. 4 is a section of a portable form of heater for domestic use. Fig.

5 is an enlargement of the same.

In these views A is a feed tube for fuel oil such as crude oil or coal oil which falls from a receptacle B by gravity upon a preheating element 0, which is preferably heated to incandescence by'means of an electrical current such as supplied by the battery D.

The preheating element is inclosed within the draft tube or passage E supplied with air under pressure by means of a blower F and the heated oil is resolved into a heavy gas or gray smoke which enters the expandng chamber Gr, in which it becomes rarefied into light and heavy portions, and the heavy portions descend to the lower end of the chamber Gr, Where they become superheated and issue through the perforations G as an inflammable gas and are lighted and consumed at that point. As soon as lighted the flame is turned upward about the expanding chamber by means of the deflector H, which becomes heated to incandescence and the heat generated thereby superheats the chamber and also superheats and rarefies the, heavy hydrocarbon gases in this chamber so that finally when they issue through the perforations and come in contact with the incandescent deflector H, perfect combustion will take place and the flame will become delicatelyviolet. Any oil which is not decomposed flows into marginal troughs K and K and when superheated also becomes combustible gas. The lighter gases which are already combustible issue through the perforations G at a higher level and are there consumed.

The fuel oil not yet completely gasified and remaining in the expanding chamber is rarefied by the excessive heat generated by the burner flame and becomes a combustible gas which burns substantially without odor at the perforations.

The burner thus constructed becomes a unit which can be inclosed within the casing of a hot air furnace, a stove or other heater, and can be applied to many useful domestic purposes without departing from the spirit of the claims.

Powdered coal can be employed as fuel alternately with the oil b introducing it into the fan in a passage See Fig. 1.

In Fig. 3 a modified form is shown in which a corresponding superheating and expanding chamb'er'M is employed and the gas generated therein passes through a pipe to a burner jet N controlled by a valve, N, regulating the size of the jet orifice and when ignited the jet plays upon the outer surface of the expanding chamber, and other parts remain substantially unchanged. In Fig. 2 jetopenings are provided for carbon oil and steam or air under pressure and a rately, at will, to project the fuel against a preheating element to rarefy the same,

prior to finally converting the same into a combustible gas and consuming the same under pressure. In Figs. 4c and 5 a portable domestic stove is illustrated, including a casing W. In Fig. 5, the fuel inlet pipe, E, is central, and is funnel-shaped and continuous with a base connecting it with the cas an intense heat and utilizes a great percentage of heat units that would otherwise be.

lost.

These devices are particularly adapted for domestic uses and provide an increased gmount of economy in the use of gas and Having described the invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a domestic oil heater, a hollow casing, provided with'air openings at the top and bottom, a fuel admission pipe having a funnel-shaped base and having a vertical central opening and marginal openings at the wider end for air entrance to the casing, an expanding chamber into the upper end of which the fuel oil is discharged, an annular driptrough in said chamber, inwhich unvaporized oil is deposited, said chamber provided with perforations adjacent to its lower end, through which heavier gases escape, and a deflector for flames issuing from'said openings.

2. In a domestic oil heater, a hollow casing, provided with air openings at the top and bottom, a fuel admission pipe having a funnel-shaped base and having a vertical central opening and marginal openings at the wider end for air entrance to the casing. an expanding chamber into the upper end of which fuel oil is discharged, an annular drip-trough in said chamber, in which unvaporized oil is deposited, said chamber provided with perforations adjacent to its lower end, through which heavier gases escape, and a deflector for flames issuing from said openings, said chamber also provided with perforations at a higher level for the escape of lighter gases.

3. In a domestic oil heater, a hollow casing, provided with air openings at the top and bottom, a fuel admission pipe having a funnel-shaped base and having a vertical central opening and marginal openings at the wider end for air entrance to the casing, an expanding chamber into the upper end of which fuel oil is discharged, an annular drip-trough in said chamber, in which unvaporized oil is deposited, said chamber provided with perforations adjacent to its lower 1 end, through which heavier gases escape, and a deflector for flames issuing from said openings, and means for heatin the oil prior to its admission in said expanc ing chamber.

4. In a domestic oil heater, a hollow casing, provided with airopenings at the top and bottom, a fuel admission pipe having a funnel-shaped base and having a vertical central opening and marginal openings at the wider end for air entrance to the casing, an expanding chamber into the upper end of which fuel oil is discharged, an annular drip-trough in said chamber, in which unvaporized oil is deposited, said chamber provided with erforations adjacent to its lower end, throng which heavier gases escape, and a deflector for flames issuing from said openings, said chamber also provided with perforations at a higher level for the escape of lighter gases, a container. for fuel oil, a supply pipe for oil leading from said container, a motor-driven fan, a valve for controlling the supply of oil through said oil supply pipe, and an electric circuit for said motor, said circuit opened and closed by the action of said valve.

5. In an oil heater, a hollow casing, rovided with air openings at the top and ottom, an expansion chamber in said casing, a fuel oil pipe discharging into the upper end of said chamber, an annular drip-trough in said chamber upon the inner wall thereof, in which unvaporized oil is deposited, said chamber provided with perforations at different levels adjoining its lower end, through which gases of different weight escape, an external deflector for the flames issuing from said openings.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto set my hand this 8th day of November, 1917.

FREDERICK E. GERSTENBERGER. In presence of- WM. M. MONROE, CHAS. F. SIPE. 

